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Wenger vows to act on 'dive'

Mike McGrath

Arsene Wenger ... will speak to Santi Cazorla about his dive against West Bromwich Albion. Photo: AFP

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will review his side's opening penalty in the 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion and speak to Santi Cazorla if he believes the Spaniard dived.

Cazorla went over in the 26th minute at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday despite replays suggesting he was not touched by Steven Reid.

Mikel Arteta scored from the spot and added a second penalty when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was tripped by Chris Brunt after half-time.

Wenger, when asked if he will speak to Cazorla after watching replays, said: ''Of course. I will look at it, don't worry.''

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Wenger admitted Arsenal were fortunate to get their first penalty.

''We were a bit lucky maybe on the first penalty because he could have given it or not given it,'' he said. ''I am sorry if it was not a penalty, but I have spoken to Santi, and he said he has been touched and lost his balance. Maybe he made more of it, I don't know. It's a difficult decision - it can go against you; it went for us in this game.''

West Brom felt there was a foul in the build-up, and were also angry at being denied a first-half penalty for hand-ball by Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker.

West Brom manager Steve Clarke said: ''It was the easy way out when you come to a big stadium and the crowd are on your back.''

Clarke felt the opening penalty was clearly an incorrect decision.

''There was clear daylight between Steven Reid and Santi Cazorla,'' he said. ''There was zero contact - it wasn't even close. I'm not sure what the referee saw. It was a bad decision for us and obviously changed the shape of the afternoon.''

Elsewhere, a Swansea City supporter was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Norwich City defender Sebastien Bassong during the Canaries' 4-3 win at Liberty Stadium.

The incident allegedly occurred after Robert Snodgrass scored the fourth goal for the visitors in the 77th minute.

The Cameroon international indicated to referee Howard Webb that he had been the victim of a racist gesture as he celebrated Snodgrass's goal with teammates.

''Within 10 minutes of the report, the stewards had got hold of the TV footage, replayed it, identified the alleged person in question and within that period, he was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence,'' a Swansea spokesman said.